Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-28


The proposed Senate amendments 70 the trac-
ton railroad bill are, in most respects, good. AS
The STAR has suggested the accommodation OF
outlying. points, not already provided with facil-
1tieS or transportation. Is one OF the pr1Hrfpal
benefits To BIZ secured by a new road with rapid
transit. And the smallest possible Inconvenience
To narrow residence streets, already easy OF
access, and 10 such chOAed and dangerous points
on the business streets as the intersection OF
Pennsylvania avenue and 18th street, should be
assured The suggestion OF the substitution of a
tax gross earnings in place OF the usual prop
erty tax is not to be favored All the railroads
should be taxed alike, and all should pay taxes on
their visible property like individuals The IRAN
chiSes OF the Railways distinct and valuable
kind OF PERSONAL property. IL would probably be
just to require ali the roads to pay something to
the District TOR the enjoyment Of their franchises
and this payment might be made proportionate to
the amount OF each roads gross earnings. But the
tax on visible property should be collected in any
event. There are practical objections to form Of
taxation which leaves the Individual or CORPORA
ton taxed TO report the amount upon which taxes
are TO be paid and there additional objections
which cannot be overcome. TO the adoption OF diff
feeHt methods OF taxation for individuals or cor
porations of the same Kind, with the same classes
OF property 10 be taxed
The agreeable announcement IS made that the
joint TeOlutlO1 IOF an amendment 70 the cOnStf-
tuition changing Inauguration uaJ TO the Both of
April viii be among the measures pushed to the
front during the few days remaining OF the session
In the hOuSe. IL is the measure perhaps i'm all
the list exclusive Ct tho appropriation bills which
affects the interests OF the wnOe country alike
The Pacific railroad Investigation the fisheries
question. the Detroit public building and other
Kindred subjects, touch part of the people: but
q constitutional mtnilent which eStab.ishe, a
logical date for the inauguration OF Presidents
and makes the short session Of Congress some
thing better than roUgE-and-tufable struggle for
precedence is OF direct concern to the whole Amer
lean people There IS no reason why IL should take
more than five minutes OF the valuable tine On the
House To be passed and sent 10 the President.
The amendment offered In the Minnesota state
senate on saturday % the new libel law. EXEMPT
ing frol the operation OF the penal code an LAS
Sault upon the editor. reporter correspondent of
any newspaper, for malicious libel was probably
suggested and accepted in the Slme spirit as the
resolution adopted by Ole house OF the Illinois
legislature about twenty years ago, ceding the
city OF Chicago 10 the state OF Indiana Ii never
theess may be assumed % voice pretty fairly the
feeling OF good many legislators and other public
men with regard To the newspaper fraternity,
whose every error OF reasoning OF statement they
set down as the fruit OF deliberate malice III such
q law should go into effect in Minnesota tt would
leave open TO the prudent journalist only one
course Of actiOn-namely. to kill a man Ia self
defense before writing anything derogatory about
him As this would produce serious results In the
diminution OF the population, the law would not
stand very long On the statute book